Women's water polo easily beats GW and Maryland

The women's water polo team continued its successful run this weekend, traveling south to take on George Washington and Maryland on Saturday and Sunday.

Saturday found the Tigers facing the Colonials (7-6 overall). GW had played Villanova on Friday, ousting the Wildcats by a final score of 10-7. Though the Colonials played a tough game against the Tigers (8-3), they could not manage to overcome Princeton's ferocity. The Tigers finally topped GW, 9-5.

Sophomore driver Megan Donahue contributed immensely to the Princeton effort, scoring two early goals for the Tigers in the first quarter of play and giving Princeton the early lead. Donahue also pulled out six steals over the course of the game, a team high, helping propel the Tigers to the four-goal victory in the Colonials' home pool.

Also posting several goals for the Tigers were freshmen utility Elyse Colgan and driver Jazmin Brown. Brown also won three sprints throughout the game. The team has benefitted from the contributions of its 10 freshmen. At least one freshman has scored in every game thus far this season.

Last weekend, in the Tigers' win against Bucknell, Colgan had a team-high five goals. She also scored two goals in the loss to Indiana and had a team-best four tallies in the loss to Hartwick. Brown scored the other three goals for Princeton in the game against Hartwick and contributed goals in the other matches throughout the weekend of tournament play. Additionally, Brown had three assists against Bucknell and won three of her four sprints. She also won three of her four sprints in the game against Indiana.

Freshman Shannon DeVore and junior Maddie McCarthy split time in goal for Princeton against the Colonials. DeVore and McCarthy combined for three saves in goal for the game.

Overall, the Tigers only managed to go 1-5 on their man-up opportunities, a significant drop from last weekend's totals.

Early Sunday morning found Princeton up against Maryland (0-4), a team that George Washington defeated, 8-1, earlier this season. Once again, despite valiant efforts from the Terrapin squad, the Tigers proved too much to handle and pulled out a 17-7 win over the Maryland.

Donahue added to her weekend scoring total, netting four of the Tigers' 17 goals. Princeton began the game uncharacteristically, failing to capitalize on its chances at the offense end. At the close of the first quarter, the score was tied at two.

Princeton found its momentum and rhythm in the second, scoring five goals while the Terps netted just two. Halftime found the Tigers with a 7-4 lead that would grow over the next 16 minutes.

Brown again contributed to the scoring efforts of the Tigers, tacking three goals onto the scoreboard. Brown also won all four of her sprints against Maryland. Freshman driver Megan Zitren chipped in with three goals as well and nabbed three steals for the game.

In goal for the game were McCarthy and senior Lauren Lister. The two combined for three saves in the game. Overall, Princeton finished the game only 1-4 on its man-up opportunities. The 2-9 weekend output on man-up chances will hurt the Tigers if they do not improve in this area. Princeton will have to convert on its easy opportunities if the team wants to continue its winning ways against tougher competition later in the year. For now, 2-9 was enough to escape with two wins.